Charles Boyce (1876-1932)

BOYCE, YOUNG, HOLMES

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 7/11/2016 at 22:57:30

From Memory's Pages

This little city and its hospitable people here suffered a serious loss in the passing to that eternal shore of one of our most highly esteemed citizens, Charles Boyce, who passed from this life Wednesday, January 6th, at 3 p. m.

Let us go back into memory's pages and follow this boy from the age of nine, when the writer first knew him, through his walks of life up to the moment he was called from our midst.

Memory paints a picture of a youth full of life, full of sunshine and endowed with a lovable disposition. Just a youth who brushed the clouds aside and viewed only the silver linings of the passing days. A boy who was the life of the little chosen circles of those tender years and whose friendship was prized by his playmates as devoid of alloy. There was a daily beauty about his life which won every heart, and those friendships to him were as sacred as the jewels of ancient thrones.

As years passed he entered the public schools of this city and there he carried sunshine to the open door. No matter what the surroundings, there was a smile, not a frown. He was identified with all of the school activities and shouldered responsibility with apparent real pleasure.

Passing into man's estate he wedded Miss Ruby Holmes June 15, 1899 and established their home on the Boyce farm adjacent to this city where they resided up to 1918, when failing health compelled him to retire and they moved to the late home in this city. He was an active member of the M. E. church, a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masonic order, had taken the Scottish Rite degree, and was a Shriner. He served as mayor of this city and was identified with civic activities from every angle.
When shadows and sorrow hov­ered over a home his was an all willing aiding hand. He believed that the man who scattered flow­ers in the pathway of his fellow men, who lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is following in the footsteps of his Master. In temperament he was mild, conciliatory, candid, yet of uncompromising firmness, honest to the last drop of blood in his veins, and shirked no duty, large or small. He was a great lover of outdoor life. He loved the birds, the forests, the streams, and his happiest moments were when he could steal away to nature's surroundings, out where the scent of the wild flowers and the song of the birds filled the air.

Charles Boyce was born April 5th, 1876 in Allamakee county, near Postville, Iowa; was the youngest of four brothers born to Philena and Samuel Boyce and moved to the farm adjacent to this city when seven years of age. The parents and two brothers preceded him in death, leaving his wife, Mrs. Ruby Boyce, his daughter, Ruth and his brother Will of Denver, Colo, to mourn his passing.

The funeral services were con­ducted at the M. E. church in this city Friday last at 2 p. m. by Rev. Lombard and members of the local Masonic order, assisted by Atty. Lampman of Primghar. His re­mains were laid at rest in the family lot in Pleasant View cemetery. All business activities were silenced in this city during the funeral hours in honor of the burial services.

The loss to the home is paramount to that of the community and to the mourners we extend our heartfelt sympathy.

HARTLEY (IOWA) SENTINEL, JANUARY 14, 1932, p1